MLB Rumors

Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (elbow) was not happy with his first rehab outing Monday for Double-A Frisco. An upset Lewis told reporters he's not ready to get major-league hitters out and needs to build up arm strength and velocity, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Lewis, who wouldn't give a timetable for his return, said he wants to be able to throw 88-91 mph before returning. He was throwing 85-86 mph Tuesday.

Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick extended his hitting streak to six games Sunday with a 2-for-4 effort against the White Sox. He had a double and two RBI.

Kendrick has five multi-hit games during his hitting streak. He's batting .500 (12 for 24) in that span, raising his season average from .275 to .306. Kendrick has a home run, three doubles and six RBI during his streak.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau had a hit Sunday against the Red Sox for the 15th time in 17 games in May. Morneau's line in May is .357/.372/.443/.815.

Morneau has six doubles, nine runs and 18 RBI this month, but he has no home runs. His home-run drought has lasted 19 games and he has two in 39 games.

Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart is still dealing with his recent demotion, according to MLB.com.

Stewart accepted a demotion to the minors but hasn't been playing. The team is making sure Josh Vitters gets ample playing time, which has relegated Stewart to backup duties in the minors. Stewart said, "I'm over the not being in the big leagues part, now I'm just trying to put some good games together."

Stewart is no longer on the team's 40-man roster and doesn't figure into their future plans. He says he's thought about life after baseball and has begun taking on a mentoring role for the team's minor leaguers. 

Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (elbow) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco Monday. He allowed two runs, including a solo home run, on four hits and no walks in 2 1/3 innings, while striking out three.

He threw 33 of 47 pitches for strikes, according to FOX Sports Southwest.

Twins starting pitcher prospect Kyle Gibson took a no-hitter into the eighth inning Sunday for Triple-A Rochester and threw his second complete-game shutout in his last three starts in an 11-0 win against Lehigh Valley.

"I was forcing the action and making them swing the bat early," Gibson told MLB.com. "I felt pretty good there toward the end."

Gibson improved to 3-5 with a 3.25 ERA and .240 opponents' batting average in nine starts. He has 46 strikeouts, with 14 walks and two home runs allowed.

"He was really attacking hitters and mixing his speed," catcher Eric Fryer said. "All the hitters he faced, he only fell behind a couple times. His sinker today was probably the pitch that was the key to the game. They were really beating that into the ground. He doesn't have to work too hard when it's working like that."

In losses against the Indians Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Mariners were a combined 1 for 20 (.050) with runners in scoring position. It's been a disturbing trend for Seattle this season.

In 20 wins, Seattle is batting .297 with runners in scoring position. In 24 losses, they are batting .119 in those situations. 

"That's one thing we know we've got to continue to get better with," manager Eric Wedge told MLB.com before Monday's series finale. "We're playing probably the hottest team in baseball right now. They're a pretty good club to begin with and they're hot right now, too. You catch them at a tough time. We need to snatch this one today and then get on a plane."

Mets catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud will be re-evaluated in two weeks to determine whether he can begin baseball activities. 

d'Arnaud will have to rehab before joining Triple-A Las Vegas. There's been talk about people within the organization that d'Arnaud won't be up until after the All-Star break, even if he's ready, according to MetsBlog.com. 

With d'Arnaud expected out, John Buck has a good chance to stick with the team for the entire season. He was thought to be a prime trade candidate earlier in the year. 

Mariners starter Aaron Harang, who hasn't pitched since May 7 because of lower back stiffness, is expected to start Tuesday against the Angels. Harang threw a bullpen session Sunday and ran Monday.

"It felt good (Sunday)," Harang said Monday to MLB.com. "Now I've just got to go run and test it again."

Manager Eric Wedge said Harang is making positive progress.

"He's still lined up for Tuesday," Wedge said. "We anticipate everything being fine and he'll be good to go."

Although he didn't start a second-straight game Monday against the Blue Jays, Rays manager Joe Maddon said catcher Jose Molina (hamstring) was available. Maddon added he's hopeful Molina will be back in the lineup Tuesday.